An integrated model system, EVA (Economic Valuation of Air pollution), based
on the impact-pathway chain has been developed to assess the health-related
economic externalities of air pollution resulting from specific emission
sources or sectors. The model system can be used to support policy-making
with respect to emission control. In this study, we apply the EVA system to
Europe, and perform a more detailed assessment of past, present, and future
health-cost externalities of the total air pollution levels in Europe
(including both natural and anthropogenic sources), represented by the years
2000, 2007, 2011, and 2020. We also assess the contribution to the
health-related external costs from international ship traffic with special
attention to the international ship traffic in the Baltic and North seas,
since special regulatory actions on sulfur emissions, called SECA (sulfur
emission control area), have been introduced in these areas. We conclude
that, despite efficient regulatory actions in Europe in recent decades, air
pollution still constitutes a serious problem for human health. Hence the
related external costs are considerable. The total health-related external
costs for the whole of Europe are estimated at 803 bn euros yr<sup>−1</sup> for the year
2000, decreasing to 537 bn euros yr<sup>−1</sup> in the year 2020. We estimate the total
number of premature deaths in Europe in the year 2000 due to air pollution
to be around 680 000 yr<sup>−1</sup>, decreasing to approximately 450 000 in the year
2020. The contribution from international ship traffic in the Northern
Hemisphere was estimated to 7% of the total health-related external costs
in Europe in the year 2000, increasing to 12% in the year 2020. In
contrast, the contribution from international ship traffic in the Baltic Sea
and the North Sea decreases 36% due to the regulatory efforts of reducing
sulfur emissions from ship traffic in SECA. Introducing this regulatory
instrument for all international ship traffic in the Northern Hemisphere, or
at least in areas close to Europe, would have a significant positive impact
on human health in Europe.